| Title: Of Past and Present Author: Kitsune Spirit Warnings: angst, sadness, death *not of main characters*, violence. PG13 Part 10 ~do you hate me~ Over the next week they talked more, well Kala-nesh had talked, Zesian had written. They found they had things in common together, the priest telling stories whilst Zesian listened enthralled. It was one Sunday evening when Zesian brought up the incident at the temple. 'My men said you had attacked them though they're not clever they wouldn't have let you take their swords easily how did you manage it?' the priest looked at him, waiting before answering not sure if he should. "I wasn't always a priest. Only for the last 5 years or so. Before then I was a healer for a small kingdom hidden in the forests. It was known for its peaceful ways, tranquility and love." He stopped, eyes darkening before he continued. "It was early morning one spring day when the horns were sounded, we were being attacked. A neighboring community we thought we had aligned peace to wanted our land and our people for slaves or work. I watched friends and family go off to fight, most never returning and the ones that did I was in control of along with my father, we were one of the main healers of the kingdom. We had unnatural abilities to heal ourselves and some people with the most impossible wounds. My otousan was known for bringing people back from near death." He smiled gently at the memory until it was washed away with the scowl that graced his beautiful features. "I was around the same age as you then, I hardly understood what was going on. It scared me. I admit I was no great warrior but many were dying from no treatment so I went out to help those who couldn't return. I had to fight to get to them; I saved as many as I could only returning when I felt something was wrong. Reaching the gates I found my father. His throat was slashed and a sign hung above him, the words carved called him a freak, the devil for his abilities to heal. I was bundled out of the kingdom by my fathers' friend, he told me to leave before I to was murdered. I asked him why; I didn't know what had happened. He told be a group of mercenaries, assassins had been paid by the other kingdom to slaughter our people so it was easier for their invading armies." He had tears running down his cheeks at the memories and Zesian also felt that his own were wet. Zesian couldn't look at him, bowing his head. /No wonder he had been so untrustworthy of me/ he felt stupid, horrible. Wishing he could disappear. He wiped at his tears as Kala-nesh continued the story. "The last thing I remember from that place was my fathers friend being shot by a flaming arrow, the city burning down and peoples screams of terror. I still have dreams about it sometimes. I guess that is why I was so afraid before, trying to defend the temple it was my only home and savior I knew". He looked at Zesian, noticing the bowed head and slumped shoulders. Lifting the head he noticed the tears, "It wasn't your fault my friend, I am glad that there are some good people like you still around, even if my head still hurts". He smiled trying to lighten the mood, wiping away the younger mans tears. Zesian nodded. He noticed the touch of the other man and moved, a blush coming to his cheeks in embarrassment, turning his back on the man he stood up moving to fix the food before coming to sit back down. They ate dinner in silence; Zesian couldn't look at the other man without shame overtaking him. /he must hate me/ Zesian thought sadly. He had grown to like the older man and was saddened that he could have ruined it all by simply asking a question. As he slowly ate he felt the tears coming again turning his head he wiped them away hoping the other hadn't noticed. He had though. Slowly the priest shifted over to Zesian, by now his ribs were healed the arm close to being that way, he was definitely a fast healer. Zesian hadn't noticed the mans approach and jumped slightly when he felt the other mans touch, an arm going around his shoulders to comfort him as he was racked with sobs. Kala-nesh cooed softly, ushering comforting sounds "you shouldn't be the one to cry my friend" he whispered letting the other cry, holding him tightly to him. Slowly Zesians tears stopped and he feel asleep. Wincing slightly as he moved, the priest managed to take the plates of food off their laps, setting them on the floor. After he pulled Zesian closer and brought the blankets up over them his last thought before sleep claimed him was /so innocent, even after everything. How could you think that I'd hate you?/ Pulling him tightly he to feel asleep. |